Fire Statistics

The Douglas Forest Protective Association has officially called an end to fire season effective at 12:01 AM Saturday October 8^th. The end of the 2011 fire season comes after significant rainfall and an overall cooling trend.

Fire managers advise residents to exercise caution when burning or using fire in the woods. This time of year, several days of sunshine and dry weather can create a fire risk even if a week or more of rainy, cool conditions precedes them. When burning yard debris, make sure to have an adequate fire trail around the pile or incinerator and never leave the burn unattended. Residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any burning. Industrial fire precaution restrictions are no longer in effect and outdoor debris burning is now allowed without a permit outside incorporated cities. The only type of burning requiring a permit is for logging slash and heavy debris disposal burning. Any type of tree harvesting that requires excess debris to be burned constitutes logging slash and therefore requires a permit to burn. For additional information about burning piles of slash please call DFPA at 672-6507.

Campfires are now allowed with landowner permission. Unattended campfires, a primary cause of wildfires, still have the potential of escaping. Campfires need to be fully extinguished before leaving the scene.

DFPA wants to thank everyone for their cooperation in helping us throughout the fire season.

INDUSTRIAL FIRE RESTRICTIONS LOWERED TODAY

Recent rainfall and cooler weather have triggered a drop to the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL), which regulates industrial operations. The Douglas Forest Protective Association decreased to IFPL I today in all DFPA protected areas.

Due to this cooler weather and recent rainfall, the Douglas Forest Protective Association has also suspended the Regulated Use Closure for the general public. Rural Douglas County residents are now allowed to mow dry grass and use power saws all day. Fire tools and 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher must be available on-site while operating power saws. Back yard burning still requires an on-site inspection and written permit by a DFPA forest officer. Residents should also check the fire restrictions in their local fire districts. While fire danger has dropped to low, residents are encouraged to exercise caution with fire prone activities.

To stay current on wildland restrictions for the public and industry, call DFPA’s closure information line at (541) 672-0379 or visit its web site at www.dfpa.net. And follow us on Twitter@ DouglasFPA

Fire Safety Crucial During Fall Hunting Season

Nearly all hunters heading into the woods this fall have been trained in the safe handling of firearms. Not everyone has been trained in the safe handling of fire. The recent rain and cooler temperatures have not eliminated the risk of wildfire. The dry conditions are still present and all outdoorsmen should adhere to the current fire restrictions. Local fire managers are asking hunters to do their part to make the fall hunt an enjoyable, fire-safe outing.

The best way to avoid a destructive wildland fire is to prevent it from happening. Here are some helpful tips for preventing wildland fires:

¨ Drive only on improved roads and carry fire tools; axe, shovel, and 2.5-pound fire extinguisher or one gallon of water in your vehicle. Vehicles driven across dry grass may start a fire with the muffler or other high-heat components under the vehicles. This includes ATV’s.

¨ Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires.

¨ Smoking is only allowed in enclosed vehicles while traveling on improved roads.

¨ Use of exploding targets is prohibited.

Every year in Oregon, about two-thirds of the wildfires are caused by people. Also receive updates by following us on Twitter: @DouglasFPA.

Dole Road fire near Myrtle Creek torches approximately 20-25 acres

Just after 6:30 pm Sunday night, fire crews were able to stop forward spread of the Dole Road fire east of Myrtle Creek. Several county resources were utilized to battle the blaze including fire fighters from Douglas Forest Protective Association, Myrtle Creek Fire Dept, Tri-City Fire Dept, Canyonville South Umpqua Fire Dept, U.S. Forest Service and Douglas County. This unified effort made quick work to corral the blaze. Crews were also assisted by 2 fire suppression helicopters and 2 air tankers. The fire is 100% trailed and crews will be extinguishing hot spots for the next few days. Final fire size is estimated around 25 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries occurred and no structures were threatened.

Fire managers caution that fire season is in effect and conditions are primed for large fire growth. Outdoor debris burning is prohibited and people working or recreating outdoors should take extra precautions to prevent human-caused fires. For further information on fire season regulations call DFPA’s Closure Information Line at 672-0379, or visit its web site at www.dfpa.net. And follow us on Twitter DouglasFPA.

DRY FUELS AND WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS KEEP FIRE FIGHTERS BUSY

A fire that burned about ¼ acre of grass east of Roseburg Thursday serves as a reminder to Douglas County residents how dry the fire conditions still are. Douglas Forest Protective Association and Douglas County Fire District No. 2 responded to the report of a grass fire just before noon today. The fire was a result of mowing dry grass with a tractor with a mowing attachment. Douglas County Fire District No. 2 responded with two brush engines and DFPA had the helicopter and one unit on scene. The fire was extinguished and no structures were threatened and no injuries occurred.

DFPA and fire departments from Canyonville and Azalea also responded to a second fire later in the day on the freeway near the top of Canyon Mountain. This was a semi-truck that caught fire and also burned about ¼ acre of grass. Units on scene took action to stop the grass fire and rural units handled the vehicle blaze. DFPA resources remained on scene to ensure there would be no additional spread to wildland. No structures were threatened and no physical injuries occurred.

DFPA and other fire officials urge residents to be cautious when working in the outdoors. Know the fire danger and follow fire restrictions. For more details and current fire danger information visit www.dfpa.net .

FIRE DANGER IS STILL A CONCERN EVEN WITH COOLER WEATHER

While cooler conditions are expected over the next few days, it is important for Douglas County residents to remember that fire danger is still high. The previous couple months of hot weather and little or no rainfall has left vegetation dry and tinder, still prime for fire starts and fire spread.

A word of caution to all hunters and recreationalists as they prepare for this weekend: Fire danger is still present and fire restrictions remain in place. While hunters take aim at their trophy, the Douglas Forest Protection Association would like to remind all outdoor enthusiasts to be extra careful.

DFPA’s Regulated Use Closure is still in effect, which means county residents must follow certain guidelines when traveling through or recreating on private, county, state or BLM lands. All burning is suspended and campfires are not allowed. For a complete list of public use and industrial fire restrictions, log on to www.dfpa.net.

INFORMATION SOUGHT ON SUSPICIOUS FIRES

Investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas Forest Protective Association are seeking information regarding suspicious fire activity in Douglas County.

Several fires with suspicious origins, including the recent Beals Creek Fire that burned 88 acres July 4th, have occurred in the past several years. The fires have been occurring in various areas.

A cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the responsible person(s) that intentionally set these fires. Please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471.

May 6, 2011

DFPA Turns 99

“We’ve come a long way,” says Douglas Forest Protective Association spokesman Tom Fields on the 99^th Anniversary of the organization. “From lookouts and smoke chasers to fire suppressing aircraft and detection cameras, 99 years of fire protection is full of history.”

A small group of landowners convened on May 6, 1912 to officially form the Douglas County Fire Patrol Association in an effort to protect the county’s timber assets, which were becoming increasingly valuable to the nation.

The Association took up its first residence at 248 SE Jackson Street in downtown Roseburg and moved three times before establishing more permanent roots at its current location on Airport Road. The name was officially changed to Douglas Forest Protective Association in 1937.

DFPA will enter its 100^th fire season this summer and is in the process of planning its centennial celebration in 2012.

“We’ve been updating our history for some time and seeking additional information from anyone with ties to DFPA over the last century,” Fields says. “If anyone has photos, news clippings, or other memorabilia about DFPA, we would appreciate hearing from them.” Fields can be reached at 541-672-6507, extension 136.

DFPA protects 1.6 million acres of private, county, state and BLM forest and grazing lands in greater Douglas County. The Association has averaged 105 fires and 3,892 acres burned annually over the last 99 years. It’s 10 year average is 83 fires and 747 acres burned annually.